However, there are some players like Draymond Green, Isaiah Thomas, Denis Rodman who have made names for themselves even after being picked in the 2nd round.
Here is a list of players selected in the 2nd round in the 2017 NBA Draft who can make it big in the NBA
Jordan Bell (Front Centre, Golden State Warriors)
It is one thing being called the next ‘Draymond Green’ and totally another thing to be able to replicate him, mostly because nobody expected the real Draymond Green to become what he is today.
Now, he has a chance to learn and play with Green himself after GSW acquired him from the Bulls for $3.5 million.
A dynamic athlete and elite rim protector, Bell can impact the game in various ways. His athleticism and high basketball IQ make him a perfect fit in the GSW system.
Bell played college basketball at the University of Oregon, where he was a dominant defensive force helping his team to the final four.
He averaged 10.9 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 2.2 blocks per game and 1.2 steals per game in his junior year and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.
With the Warriors, Bell will be able to hide his biggest weakness i.e. shooting and show the NBA his impressive shot blocking and rebounding ability. Steve Kerr will also get his defense a centre who is good at switching and protects the rim at all costs.
Ike Anigbogu (Centre, Indiana Pacers)
Ike Anigbogu is clearly the beast of his draft class standing at 6'10, weighing 250 pounds with a 7'6 wingspan, still 18 years of age and with chances of growing even bigger, Indiana may have just got the steal of the draft if Anigbogu stays healthy.
A one and done from UCLA, Anigbogu has had to deal with a lot of injuries in his short college career and averaged only 4.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. But if we stretch out his stats to an average of 40 minutes per game then he averages a stunning 14.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game.
The youngest player of his draft class Anigbogu is a strong, athletic big man with huge hands and long wingspan. His rim protection and shot blocking are at an elite level but he is still quite a raw prospect offensively and needs to work on his freethrow shooting to become an NBA regular.
A Myles Turner and Ike Anigbogu partnership will be a sight to behold in the future.
Semi Ojeleye (Small Forward/Point Forward, Boston Celtics)
With the NBA trying to go smaller and more skilled on the offense while also maintaining size and athleticism in defense. The need of two-way players could not have been any higher.
Semi Ojeleye, the 37th pick by the Boston Celtics from SMU perfectly fits the bill with his 3-pt shooting and impressive rim protecting ability.
Ojeleye started his college basketball career at Duke University alongside the likes of Jabari Parker and Matt Jones but unlike both was sparingly used by the ‘Blue Devils’.
In dire need of game time Ojeleye moved to SMU after 2 seasons with Duke and immediately became an integral part of their squad leading them to an AAC championship in 2016, averaging 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, was adjudged the AAC player of the year and AAC championship MVP.
Ojeleye is a talented spot up shooter and has an impressive floor spacing ability. Is equally capable of finding open teammates making him a serviceable playmaker.
Ojeleye’s multi-positional defensive skills are his biggest strength, he is a switchable defender who can defend the 3’s and 4’s well and potentially the 5’s too, a coveted combination in today’s NBA.
He may not be the best two-way player in the 2nd round draft choices but he has the skills and tools to become an NBA-level role player for Boston Celtics or any other team in coming time.
Jawun Evans (Point Guard, LA Clippers)
In a sport where the average height of a player is between 6'3 to 6'7. Guys with heights of 6 and below have barely considered by professional teams but players like Isaiah Thomas and Chris Paul have shown that with hard work and commitment anything is possible.
One player trying to join this group is Jawun Evans, a 6'0 point guard from Oklahoma State picked up by the Clippers in the 2nd round.
Evans played his college basketball at Oklahoma State University, as a freshman averaged 12.9 points and 4.4 assists per game and was named Big-12 Freshman of the Year for his exploits.
He upped his game in his sophomore year averaging 19.2 points and 6.4 assists per game, earning himself a place in the Third-team All-American and First-team All-Big.
He’s an extremely skilled ball-handler who can get into the lane at will & is a master of the pick and roll, possess an impressive playmakers vision, he is always looking out for open teammates or tries to hit the roller in pick and roll situations.
Evans is a solid shooter with a 44.8 FG%, is highly adept at making it to the charity stripe and scoring with an 81.8 FT%.
With CP3 gone Evans has a good chance of making it to the Clippers starting five if he puts in the effort and hard work.
Jonah Bolden (Point Forward, Philadelphia 76ers)
The 76ers love for Aussie players continued when they picked up Josh Bolden with the 36th pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
Bolden started his college basketball career with UCLA but he felt underutilized in his only season with the Bruins and decided to forego his college eligibility to play professionally.
Bolden signed up with FMP Beograd in the 16-17 season and averaged 12.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He won the ABA League Top Prospect after his stellar season with Beograd.
Bolden is comfortable with the ball in his hand and likes to set the pace after grabbing a rebound, he is a high IQ player with an ability to stretch the floor.
He has the ability to protect the rim but still has to work to become an elite shot blocker, Bolden is ideally equipped to switch screens & guard out on the perimeter while still being able to work on the glass & bang in the post.
If Bolden had stayed at UCLA for one more year he would have been a lottery pick but going to Serbia worked against him. He is still a top talent who can prosper against the top talent present in the NBA.
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